The Katerina Trilogy Book One: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

It’s 1888 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, should be concerned with balls, her studies at school, and attracting a rich and powerful husband. Instead she’s trying to hide her necromancy from her family. It’s a dark secret – and a dark power. One best kept to oneself. But Katerina accidentally raises a corpse – or two. Once her secret is out, various powers within the Russian aristocracy scheme to involve her in their intrigues against the crown. Katerina strives to remain loyal to the tsar, but that path may lead to the death of everyone she loves. 

The Gathering Storm is a historical paranormal novel rich in detail and description. Katerina is an interesting character, quite headstrong and unique for her time. The fantasy/paranormal aspect of the novel develops gradually, slowly seeping into the realism of the plot. And yes, there’s romance - an unwanted suitor and an impossible no-win love situation. The ending leaves some loose ends, but that’s not unexpected with a series. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and something a little different for fans of paranormal romance. 

By the way, Book One will leave you wanting Book Two, which won't be published until October 2012. To keep up with the author's latest news while you're waiting, check out her blog or friend her on Goodreads!

The Cahill Witch Chronicles: Book 1: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

In an alternate 1800s New England, sixteen-year-old Cate Cahill is a witch. So are her younger sisters Maura and Tess. Unfortunately, witchery is considered devil-sent. “Women who can do magic – they’re either mad or wicked. Destined for an asylum at best, or a prison ship or an early grave.” So Cate and her sisters must hide their magic, practicing only where they cannot be discovered and learning more about control than ability.

When a nosy neighbor persuades Cate’s father to hire a governess, it increases Cate’s fear that their secret will be revealed. Not only that, but her intention ceremony is quickly approaching, and she must publicly and irrevocably declare her vow to join the Sisterhood or announce her engagement – to her choice or someone the Brothers choose for her.

Then there’s the diary, and the letter, and the prophecy…and there’s Finn.

This novel was absolutely riveting. The author has done an amazing job weaving all of the details and plot threads into a cohesive and fascinating read. I highly recommend this one to fans of romance, paranormal romance, historical fiction, and suspense.

Love? Maybe. by Heather Hepler

Just because Piper's birthday is on Valentine's Day doesn't mean she's a romantic. Actually, after witnessing her mother's two divorces and her best friend's messy breakup, Piper doesn't even believe in love. But even though Piper has given up hope her friends haven't. Jillian concocts crazy plans to bring the three of them perfect dates for Valentine's Day, and Piper goes along for the sake of friendship and to try and heal Claire's broken heart. But surprisingly it's Piper's heart that's healed, and Piper's hope that's restored.

Hepler's novel is a fun read with loveable characters and an upbeat ending. I devoured this title, and place it next to her other book, The Cupcake Queen, as a highly recommended gentle romance.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

More than anything else in the world, Erin wants to be a published writer. Erin's cold and stern grandmother, her caregiver since she was 12, plans to send her granddaughter to college in New York to major in business and take over the family horse farm.When Erin reveals her dream, her grandmother responds by cutting Erin off and naming Hunter, the stable boy, her new heir.

Erin doesn't care. She heads to New York to take her place in the creative writing program of a prestigious college. She gets a part time job, scrimps and saves, and just about manages to hold everything together - until Hunter walks into her class. Erin is convinced that Hunter hates her, that he has stolen her inheritance and is so manipulative that every conversation, every story he writes, is just another way to humiliate her. But could she be wrong?

Love Story is an engrossing novel about very likeable and realistic characters. I read it in 24-hours, stopping reluctantly to eat, sleep and work and returning to my marked page with anticipation. I highly recommend this book to fans of Sarah Dessen and Justina Chen Headley. The publication date isn't until July 19th, though, so you'll have to wait a little while. In the meantime, check out Echols' other novels, Going Too Far, Forget You, Endless Summer, Major Crush and The Ex Games. And check out Jennifer Echols herself here at the Homewood Public Library on June 25th!

Nightshade by Andrea R. Cremer

Calla and Ren's destiny's have always been intertwined. At birth they were matched by the Keepers, and when they turn 18 they will be mated. Both alphas, they will then begin to form their own pack, patrolling the area to watch for and prevent an attack by the Searchers. Calla has always known this, but as Samhain, and her birthday, gets nearer she finds herself...restless. When she discovers an injured hiker while on patrol she starts down a path that will expose the deeply hidden history of the Guardians, Keepers and Searchers, and drive Calla away from everything she's ever known.

This novel was a refreshing twist on the werewolf theme. Though there are definite Twilight overtones, the heroine is much stronger and the plot is more thrilling. I stayed up late reading this book and absolutely cannot wait until the next book is published!

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Catherine "Cat" Locke is a major science geek. This year she's even taking Mr. Fizer's Special Topics in Research Science class - a class known to cause stress overload in even the best students. And they don't even get to pick their own topic. They must blindly choose a photograph from Fizer's desk and base their project on that photo somehow. So Cat, who spent the summer studying fig wasps, is horrified when she pulls an illustration of Homo erectus - "Early hominins from 1.8 millions years ago." She now has until the end of class to write down a preliminary project idea and turn it in. How in the world can she base an entire year's research project - and science project final - on this?!?!

Eureka!

By the end of class Cat has her answer. It will involve Cat becoming her own science experiment. It will mean giving up the conveniences of modern life and most of the foods she loves. But if she succeeds, it will be one heck of a project. It might even beat Matt McKinney's (as if she cared about things like that).

This story is not about a fat girl losing weight and becoming popular, getting the guy, and ruling the school. It's a story about a girl taking control of her life for an unusual reason, but in the process becoming stronger, more confident and healthier. While her decisions may or may not be ones the rest of us are willing to make, they are definitely inspiring. I highly recommend this title!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver is an interesting twist to the werewolf story. The wolves aren't monsters, at least, not any more than most humans, and they don't turn to wolves during the full moon. Instead the shift is dictated by temperature. Warm, sunny months are human where the chill of winter is wolf. As time goes on, time spent human becomes shorter and shorter, until eventually there is nothing but wolf time. This is Sam's last summer in human form. And it's the summer he finally gets to know Grace. It's the summer they officially fall in love, though they've loved each other long distance and inter-species for years. But in a few weeks it will all be over...unless they can figure out a way for one of them to permanently join the other's species for good.

I started this one on audiobook, then switched to hardback to finish it off. Audiobooks just don't go as fast as my eyes/brain, and I get frustrated - desperately wanting to know how the situation is resolved and how it all ends. If this describes you, too, check out the book so you can race to the end and find out who loves, who loses, and who finds a new form!

 

FYI: The sequel to Shiver, Linger, comes on on July 20th!

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

For an entire year Colt met Julia by the lake. For an entire year they touched, kissed, talked and shared themselves. For an entire year, they kept it all a secret. Now Julia is dead, and Colt doesn’t know how to let her go.

This short volume told an amazing story. Julia was from the wealthy side of town and Colt is lives in a lower middle-class area. Their love would have raised eyebrows, but it wasn’t exactly Romeo and Juliet. By keeping their relationship a secret, Colt now has no one to help him through his grief and feelings of guilt. The chronicle of his grief, memories, and slow recovery is emotional and realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to fans of romance and drama.

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

This excellent book is the first in a trilogy. It mixes paranormal romance and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a little mystery in a modern-day setting. Abbey's best friend, Kristen, has died in a tragic drowning accident. But the real question is why she was even at the river that day? Abbey searches for answers but what she finds is an elderly couple, Nikolas and Katy, and a gorgeous but unusual teen, Caspian. Caspian may be her soul mate - if she can ever figure out his secrets. And Nikolas and Katy are as dear to her as the grandparents she lost at age six, but they are also good at hiding the truth. When Abbey learns the secrets of these people she's come to love, it nearly unravels her - making her doubt her own sanity.

The book starts out slowly, but don't give up on it. It will definitely reward the patient reader!

Great for fans of Twilight!!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (R.I.P. Challenge book #2)

Mary's village life is simple. Lives revlove around family and the Sisterhood, which keeps everyone safe from the Unconsecrated. But Mary wants more. Growing up with stories of the world before the Return, she senses that there must be more out beyond the boundaries of her village. Beyond the fences where mindless Unconsecrated pull and hammer and moan, constantly trying to break through to gnaw and gnash and infect the living. Then one day, they breach the fence. That's the day Mary's life changes. Her world expands. And her hopes of a different life are realized - though it's not the life she had wished for.

Think about all the zombie movies you have seen. This is the world more than 100 years later. When all the living have left of our way of life are the stories of their great-great-great-great-great grandparents. The zombies have overrun the world, and only the village is left. There is no way out. There is no other way of life. There is nothing but the village and the Unconsecrated. This is the setting of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. But amid the hopelessness is Mary. Who has hopes and dreams beyond the village. This is her story. And it's riveting...